On September 15, 1986, Apple introduced the Apple Desktop Bus Keyboard as part of their Apple Keyboard series. The keyboard was designed, manufactured, and sold by Apple and was a pointing device for both the Macintosh and Apple II series.
One of the key features of the Apple Desktop Bus Keyboard was its integrated numeric keypad. This was a new addition to the keyboard and made it more versatile for users who needed to input numbers frequently. The keyboard also used the new input connection method, the Apple Desktop BUS (ADB), which allowed for easy compatibility with both product lines.
However, on October 15, 1990, Apple decided to discontinue the Apple Desktop Bus Keyboard. Today, the keyboard is 37 years old and is no longer in production. Despite this, the keyboard has left a lasting impression on Apple’s history and is still remembered by many as a classic piece of technology.
While the Apple Desktop Bus Keyboard may no longer be in production, it remains a significant part of Apple’s history and continues to be remembered by fans of the brand. As technology continues to evolve, it’s interesting to look back and see how far we’ve come and the impact that certain products have had on shaping the industry.
Apple Desktop Bus Keyboard Details
| Introduced | September 15, 1986 |
| Discontinued | October 15, 1990 |
| Model Number | A9M0330 |
| Original Price | Unknown |
| Weight | 2.25 Ibs. 1.02 KG |
| Dimensions | 1.75” H x 16.6” W x 5.6” D 4.44 cm H x 42.16 cm W x 14.22 cm D |
System Requirements
- Apple IIGS computer or Macintosh with ADB port
Keyboard Specs
| Keys in Total | 81 |
| Alphanumeric | 48 |
| Special | 1 – Power |
| Numeric | 18 |
| Cursor-control | 4 |
Connections
| Connection | ADB |
Further Reading and References
- Apple Desktop Bus – Wikipedia
- Apple Desktop Bus Keyboard – Kuritakey
- The History of the Mac Keyboard – Das Keyboard
- Apple Desktop Bus, ADB Pinout and Signal Assignments – Interfacebus
Disclaimer: The data presented in this article is under continuous development and has been manually collected from various sources based on their availability. The author of this article may revise this dataset as additional research is conducted and reviewed. Please note that the information is provided “as is” and “as available” without express or implied warranties. The author cannot be held responsible for any omissions, inaccuracies, or errors in the published information. Any warranties relating to this information are hereby disclaimed.
Last updated: April 12, 2023
